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CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE COVINA REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY/COVINA PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY/COVINA HOUSING
AUTHORITY JOINT MEETING
MINUTES
December 17, 2024, 7:30 p.m.
125 E. College Street, Covina, California
Council Chamber of City Hall
Councilmembers Present: Councilmember Patricia Cortez
Councilmember Hector Delgado
Mayor/Chair John C. King
Councilmembers Absent: Councilmember Walter Allen, III
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chair Victor Linares
Staff Present: City Clerk Drew Aleman (Elected Member) City Treasurer Neil Polzin (Elected Member)
City Manager Chris Marcarello
City Attorney Candice K. Lee
Police Chief David Povero
Community Development Director Brian Lee
Parks & Recreation/Library Services Director Lisa Evans Public Works Director Rafael Fajardo
Deputy City Manager Angel Carrillo
Chief Deputy City Clerk Fabian Velez
Staff Absent: Interim Finance Director Theresa Franke 1 CLOSED SESSION
CLOSED SESSION -WAS NOT HELD
JOINT MEETING—OPEN SESSION 7:30 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor King called the Council/Agency/Authority meeting to order at 7:34 p.m. with Councilmember Cortez, Councilmember Delgado, and Mayor King present.
ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Mayor King.
INVOCATION
Given by Covina Police Chaplain Chuck Cannizzaro.
PRESENTATIONS
A. Retirement of Police Chief David Povero
City Manager Marcarello provided a brief biography of Police Chief Povero and kind words and congratulations to Police Chief Povero were provided by Nicole Povero, daughter of Police Chief Povero; Sandra Lopez, representing the Office of California State Senator Susan Rubio; Police Chief Darren Arakawa, President of the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs' Association; Alexa Sanchez, representing the Office of California State Assemblymember Blanca Rubio; Police Chief Aaron Fate, Vice President of the San Gabriel Valley Police Chiefs' Association; Scott Edson, Executive Director of LA-RICS; Paul Gastelum, Chairman of the Covina Chamber of Commerce; Former Covina Mayor Kevin Stapleton on behalf of the Covina Police Foundation; Covina Police Captain Ric Walczak representing the Covina Police Management Group; Covina Police Officer Oswaldo Preciado representing the Police Association of Covina; and Councilmember Cortez on behalf of the office of Congresswoman Grace Napolitano and the Offices of County Supervisors Hilda Solis and Kathryn Barger.
Police Chief Povero thanked those who spoke, those in the audience, the City Council, and City staff and presented Police Captain Walczak with his mew Police Chief insignia of four stars.
RECESS
At 8:26 p.m., Mayor King recessed the City Council meeting and reconvened at 8:32 p.m. with Councilmember Cortez, Councilmember Delgado, and Mayor King present. 2 PUBLIC COMMENTS
Richard Darkhorse, of American Legion Riders 755, thanked the City Council for accepting the American Legion Riders into the City and having the opportunity to support events.He also wished everyone a merry Christmas and happy New Year and invited the Council to visit their post.
Jhermie Salazar commented regarding an incident with Police Chief Povero at the Operation Gobble Event.
Joe Rodriguez also commented on the incident regarding Police Chief Povero.
Kailcuhi Ishikawa noted his concerns with public safety and the increased presence of homeless encampments. He also shared his positive experience at the business owned by Jessie Bassa's father.
Jesse Bassa shared his experience with Code Enforcement incident regarding his family's business, J&L Yard Sale Christmas Shop. He also commented on other issues regarding safety and homelessness he would like to see addressed.
Delia Dominguez informed the City Council about her concerns with rodent kill traps and the dangers of having them used.
Neil Polzin raised his concerns with the City's use of Boy Scouts as volunteers for the Christmas Parade.
COUNCIL/AGENCY/AUTHORITY COMMENTS
Councilmember Delgado thanked the Covina Christmas Parade Committee volunteers for their work and also thanked Police Chief Povero for his service while welcoming Captain Walczak on his upcoming role as the next Chief of Police.
Councilmember Cortez also thanked Parks & Recreation/Library Services Director Evans, the Parks & Recreation team, and the Covina Christmas Parade Committee Volunteers for their work in making the City a special place, as well as Police Chief Povero for his service with the City.
She also wished the community a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Mayor King noted it was a great evening honoring outgoing Police Chief Povero. He also highlighted the following Consent Calendar items: CC 4, approving the City of Covina Annual and Five-Year Development Impact Fee Report; CC 5, approving a professional services agreement with Willdan Engineering to update the Sewer System Management Plan; and CC 6, appropriating funds for the installation of two storm water capture systems at the Covina Recreation Village site. Mayor King also informed the community of paving work that will be taking place on Cienega Avenue between Barranca venue and Grand Avenue, Barranca Avenue north of Cypress Street to Arrow Highway, and Sunflower Avenue. Lastly, he wished everyone a merry Christmas and happy New Year while stating how grateful he is for the Covina Team.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
City Manager Marcarello reminded the community that City facilities will be closed from Wednesday, December 24th to Sunday, January 2nd, with the exception of the Public Works and Police Departments. He also noted that trash pick up will be delayed one day due to the holidays.
CONSENT CALENDAR PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
3 CONSENT CALENDAR
CC 1. Payment of Demands
Motion made by: Councilmember Cortez
Seconded by: Councilmember Delgado
Approve Payment of Demands in the amount of$2,397,813.47.
Approved (3 to 0); Allen & Linares Absent
CC 2. City of Covina Investment Report for Month Ended November 30, 2024 Motion made by: Councilmember Cortez
Seconded by: Councilmember Delgado
Receive and File.
Approved (3 to 0); Allen & Linares Absent
CC 3. Request to Cancel the Regular City Council Meeting of January 7,2025 Motion made by: Councilmember Cortez
Seconded by: Councilmember Delgado
That the City Council consider cancelling the regular scheduled City Council Meeting of January 7, 2025.
Approved (3 to 0); Allen & Linares Absent
CC 4. City of Covina Annual and Five-Year Development Impact Fee Report for the Fiscal Year ending in June 30,2024
Motion made by: Councilmember Cortez
Seconded by: Councilmember Delgado
It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution CC 2024-118,approving the City of Covina Annual and Five-Year Development Impact Fee Report for the Fiscal Year ending in June 30, 2024.
Approved (3 to 0); Allen & Linares Absent
CC 5. Professional Services Agreement with Willdan Engineering for Amount Not- to-Exceed $39,968 Related to Sewer System Management Plan Audit & Update Compliance to Statewide General Waste Discharge Requirements for Sanitary Sewer Systems
Motion made by: Councilmember Cortez
Seconded by: Councilmember Delgado
Authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement between the City of Covina and Willdan Engineering in an amount not-to-exceed $39,968 related to the Sewer System Management Plan(SSMP) Audit&Update.
Approved (3 to 0); Allen & Linares Absent
4 CC 6. Resolution CC 2024-119 to Amend the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Capital Improvement Program to Increase Funding from Measure W Municipal Funds — Fund Balance for Covina Recreation Village Project in Amount of $485,088.26
Motion made by: Councilmember Cortez
Seconded by: Councilmember Delgado
1. Adopt Resolution CC 2024-119 to appropriate$485,088.26 from available Measure W — Municipal Funds — Fund Balance to the Covina Recreation Village Project (Account No. 2510-5600-55200-P2202) to provide additional funding required for the installation of two storm water infiltration systems; and
2. Authorize the Director of Public Works/City Engineer to approve a contract Change Order for the Covina Recreation Village Project with Perera Construction and Design, Inc. in the amount of$869,479.08.
Approved (3 to 0); Allen & Linares Absent
CC 7. Approval of Part-Time Salary Range Adjustments Subject to Minimum Wage and Revised Paid Sick Leave Policy for Part-Time Employees Motion made by: Councilmember Cortez
Seconded by: Councilmember Delgado
Approve salary range adjustments for classifications affected by the State mandated minimum wage increases effective January 1, 2025, as per Labor Code Section 1182.12(c)(3)(A).
Approved (3 to 0); Allen & Linares Absent
PUBLIC HEARINGS
PH 1. Public Hearing of 2025 Annual Report for Downtown Covina Business Area Enhancement District(BAED)
Mayor King opened the public hearing.
The agenda report was provided by Administrative Technician Lisa Lee.
There were no public comments.
Mayor King closed the public hearing.
Motion made by: Councilmember Delgado
Seconded by: Mayor King
1. Conduct the public hearing of the 2025 Annual Report for the Covina Downtown Business Area Enhancement District and Proposed Assessment; and
2. Adopt Resolution CC 2024-111, confirming the 2025 Annual Report for the Downtown Covina Business Area Enhancement District, and levying the 2025 assessment described therein.
Approved (3 to 0); Allen & Linares Absent
5 PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor King re-opened the public comment period. Josh Beckstrom addressed his concerns regarding transient activities on Rue Royale Street. City Manager Marcarello informed Mr.
Backstrom that the issue is currently being addressed by the Code Enforcement Division.
NEW BUSINESS
NB 1. Direction on the Issuance of Notices to Proceed in the City's Commercial Cannabis Permit Program RFP Process
Staff Recommendation:
That the City Council provide direction regarding the selection of applicants in the City's Commercial Cannabis RFP process to proceed in the preapplication and permit process.
The staff report and presentation were provided by City Manager Marcarello.
In response to an inquiry from the City Council,Devon Julian,representing Culture Cannabis Club, stated that a miscommunication led to the current situation regarding site control over their proposed site and they are working towards a resolution.
Andrew De La Garza, Christina Navarro, Michael Nevarez, and Anthony Cormona provided public comments in support of Stiiizy Covina. Eric Lightman, representing Embarc Covina, provided his understanding of the property situation involving Culture Cannabis Club and requested the City Council delay awarding a Notice to Proceed until the situation is resolved. Delia Dominguez raised her concerns with cannabis operations in the City and highlighted the need for compliance.
Council comments included thanking those who were present to voice their opinions, acknowledging concerns, requesting all applicants honor the commitments they submitted with their proposals, noting the Police Department's input with the process to address concerns, and potential next steps.
City Attorney Lee provided responses to questions regarding what the City would be allowed to do at this moment and any associated risks.
Motion made by: Councilmember Cortez
Seconded by: Councilmember Delgado
Award a Notice to Proceed to Stiiizy Covina.
Approved (3 to 0); Allen & Linares Absent
ADJOURNMENT
At 9:58 p.m., the Covina City Council/Successor Agency to the Covina Redevelopment Agency/Covina Public Financing Authority/Covina Housing Authority adjourned in memory of local business owner Mark Thiel to its next regular meeting of the Council/Agency/Authority scheduled for Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 6:30 p.m., for closed session and 7:30 p.m., for open 6 session in the Council Chamber located inside of City Hall, 125 East College Street, Covina, California, 91723.
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John . King, Mayor/Chair
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